Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MICROWAVE ABLATION GENERATOR
CONTROL SYSTEM
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[001] The present invention relates to systems and methods for
performing a
medical procedure, wherein the medical procedure includes the generation and
transfer of
energy from an energy source to a dynamically changing device and, more
particularly, efficient
transfer of energy through a microwave energy delivery, measurement and
control system.
2. Description of Related Art
[002] During microwave ablation procedures, the electrical performance of a
microwave antenna probe changes throughout the course of an ablation
treatment. The change in
performance may be due to the device or due to changes in tissue properties.
The ability to
observe parameters indicative of changes in antenna property, antenna
performance or tissue
properties changes during ablation greatly aids in the understanding of
microwave ablation.
[003] For example, measuring antenna impedance is a common method for
determining antenna performance and/or a change in an antenna property.
Microwave systems
are typically designed to a characteristic impedance, such as, for example, 50
Ohms, wherein the
impedance of the generator, the delivery system, the ablation device and
tissue are about equal to
the characteristic impedance. Efficiency of energy delivery decreases when the
impedance of
any portion of the system changes.
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[004] With low frequency RF systems impedance can easily be determined by
measuring the delivered current at a known voltage and calculating tissue
impedance using well
known algorithms. Obtaining accurate measurements of tissue impedance at
microwave
frequencies is more difficult because circuits behave differently at microwave
frequency. For
example, unlike an electrode in an RF system, an antenna in a microwave system
does not
conduct current to tissue. In addition, other components in a microwave system
may transmit or
radiate energy, like an antenna, or components may reflect energy back into
the generator. As
such, it is difficult to determine what percentage of the energy generated by
the microwave
generator is actually delivered to tissue, and conventional algorithms for
tissue impedance are
inaccurate.
[005] Therefore, other methods of measuring impedance are typically used in
a
microwave system. One well known method is an indirect method using
measurements of
forward and reflected power. While this is a generally accepted method, this
method can also
prove to be inaccurate because the method fails to account component losses
and depends on
indirect measurements, such as, for example forward and reflected power
measurements from
directional couplers, to calculate impedance. In addition, this method does
not provide
information related to phase, a component vital to determining antenna
impedance.
[006] One alternative method of measuring impedance in a microwave energy
delivery system is by determining broadband scattering parameters. Capturing
antenna
broadband scattering parameters periodically throughout a high power ablation
cycle necessitates
the use of equipment that requires precise calibration. Unfortunately, this
equipment is prone to
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damage by high power signals and the microwave energy delivery system
typically needs to be
reconfigured to accommodate and protect such equipment.
[007] The present disclosure describes a Microwave Research Tool (MRT) that
includes a system to measure impedance in a microwave energy delivery system
by direct and
indirect methods including a system to measure broadband scattering
parameters.
SUMMARY
[008] The present disclosure relates to a microwave energy delivery and
measurement
system for use in testing microwave energy systems and devices and for use in
performing medical
procedures. In one embodiment, the microwave energy delivery and measurement
system includes a
microwave energy source configured to delivery microwave energy to a microwave
energy delivery
device, a measurement system configured to measure at least one parameter of
the microwave energy
delivery device and a switching network configured to electrically isolate the
microwave energy source
and the measurement system. The measurement system is configured to actively
measure a
parameter related to the microwave energy delivery device, such as, for
example, voltage, current
and/or impedance.
[009] In another embodiment the active measurement system of the microwave
energy
delivery and measurement system further includes a processor configured to
control the active
measurement system and a frequency generator configured to provide a variable
frequency signal to the
microwave energy delivery device. The active measurement system may be
configured to measure at
least one parameter related to the variable frequency signal delivered to the
microwave energy
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delivery device. The processor may be configured to determine at least one
parameter related to the
microwave energy delivery device.
[0010] In yet another embodiment, the measurement system may
include a passive
measurement system. The passive measurement system may include a dual
directional coupler
configured to provide a signal related forward power and/or reflected power.
[0011] In yet another embodiment, the switching network of the
microwave energy
delivery and measurement system is configured to connect the microwave energy
delivery device to the
microwave generator in a first condition and connect the microwave energy
delivery device to the
measurement system in a second condition. The switching network may
dynamically switch
between the first and second conditions.
[0012] The switching network includes a first switch and a second
switch. The first
switch is configured to switch energy from the microwave generator between a
first resistive load and a
circulator. The second switch is configured to connect the microwave energy
delivery device between
the circulator and the measurement system. The circulator passes a signal from
the first switch to the
second switch and passes a signal from the second switch to a ground potential
through a second
resistive load.
[0013] The first condition includes a first electrical connection
between the microwave
generator and the circulator through the first switch and a second electrical
connection between the
microwave energy delivery device and the circulator through the second switch.
The microwave signal is
passed from the microwave generator, through the first electrical connection
to the circulator, from the
circulator through the second electrical connection and to the microwave
energy delivery device.
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[0014] The second condition includes a third electrical connection
between the
microwave generator and the first resistive load through the first switch; and
a fourth electrical
connection between the microwave energy delivery device and the active
measurement system through
the second switch. The active measurement system is configured to measure a
parameter related to the
performance of the microwave energy delivery device.
[0015] In a further embodiment the first switch is a variable
attenuator configured
to proportionate energy from the signal generator between a terminator
resistor and an amplifier.
[0016] In still yet another embodiment, the measurement system
includes at least one
input configured to receive a first signal related to the energy delivered to
the microwave energy
delivery device from the microwave energy source and an output configured to
provide a
measurement signal to the microwave energy delivery device. The first signal
may be related to forward
power and/or reflected power and the measurement signal may be related to a
parameter of the
microwave energy delivery device, such as, for example, voltage, current,
and/or impedance.
[0017] In a further embodiment the measurement system may include a
processor
configured to control the measurement signal and to process the signal
received by the at least one input.
The processor may vary the frequency of the measurement signal and determine a
parameter related to
the microwave energy delivery device at one or more frequencies.
[0018] In yet another embodiment, the microwave energy delivery and
measurement
system may include a first switch, a first resistive load connected between a
ground potential and the
first switch, a second switch, a second resistive load connected between a
ground potential and the
second switch, a circulator connected between the first and second switches,
and a third resistive load
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connected between a ground potential and the circulator. The first switch
directs the microwave
energy between the first resistive load and the circulator, the circulator
directs microwave energy from
the first switch to the second switch and directs energy from the second
switch to the third resistive load,
and the second switch connects a microwave energy delivery device to one of
the circulator and the
measurement system.
[0019] In a first condition the microwave energy from the microwave
energy source is
supplied to the microwave energy delivery device through the first switch, the
circulator and the second
switch and the measurement system is isolated by the second switch. In a
second condition the
measurement system connects to the microwave energy delivery device through
the second switch
and the first switch and the second switches isolate the microwave energy
source from the measurement
system.
[0020] The present disclosure relates to an intermittent microwave
energy delivery
system for use in testing microwave energy systems and devices and for use in
performing medical
procedures. In one embodiment, the intermittent microwave energy delivery
system includes a
microwave energy source configured to provide a continuous microwave energy
signal, an energy
delivery network configured to intermittently transmit a portion of the
continuous microwave energy
signal, a resistive load configured to dissipate the microwave energy signal;
and a switching network
configured to switch the continuous microwave energy signal between the
microwave energy network
and the resistive load. The continuous microwave energy signal is time
proportioned between the energy
delivery network and the resistive load.
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[0021] The switching network may include a high speed switch to
switch the microwave
energy signal between the energy delivery network and the resistive load. The
high speed switch may
transition from delivering energy to the energy delivery network to the
resistive load in about 360 ns
and may transition from delivering energy to the resistive load to the energy
delivery network in about
360 ns.
[0022] In another embodiment the switching network is configured to
vary the duty
cycle of the signal delivered to the energy delivery network between about 10%
on-time to about 90%
on-time. The system may further include a processor configured to vary the
duty cycle of the
switching network. The duty cycle of the switching network may be determined
by a parameter such
as, for example, a forward power measurement, a reflective power measurement
and/or a temperature
measurement.
[0023] In a further another embodiment the switching network
includes a variable
attenuator configured to receive the continuous microwave signal from the
microwave energy source, a
resistive load connected between the variable attenuator and a ground
potential and an amplifier. The
variable attenuator is configured to proportionate the continuous microwave
signal from the microwave
energy source between the resistive load and the amplifier and the amplifier
amplifies the
microwave signal from the variable attenuator and supplies the amplified
signal to the energy delivery
network.
[0024] The present disclosure relates to a system, apparatus and
method for
dissipating standing waves in a microwave energy delivery system. In one
embodiment, a
system for dissipating a standing wave includes a microwave energy source
configured to
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intermittently delivery microwave energy as a periodic microwave signal an
energy delivery
network configured to transmit the periodic microwave signal and a circuit
connected between
the microwave energy source and the energy delivery network. The circuit is
configured to pass
the periodic microwave signal from the microwave energy source to the energy
delivery network
when the periodic microwave signal is present and to dissipate standing waves
when the periodic
microwave signal is absent.
[0025] In a further embodiment the circuit includes a first
resistive load and a
circulator configured to direct the periodic microwave signal from the
microwave energy source
to the energy delivery network. The circulator is also configured to direct
energy from the
energy delivery network to the first resistive load, the first resistive load
connected between the
circulator and a ground potential. The first resistive load dissipate energy
reflective from the
energy delivery network when the periodic microwave signal is in a high energy
condition and
dissipates residual energy when the periodic microwave signal is in a low
energy condition.
[0026] In yet another embodiment, the system for dissipating a
standing wave
also includes a microwave energy delivery device, a network analyzer, a second
resistive load,
connected between the transfer switch and a ground potential, and a transfer
switch connected
between the circulator, the microwave energy delivery device, the second
resistive load and the
network analyzer. The transfer switch, in a first condition, connects the
network analyzer to the
microwave energy delivery device and the circulator to the second resistive
load. The transfer
switch, in a second condition, connects the circulator to the microwave energy
delivery device
and the network analyzer to the second resistive load. The transfer switch
electrically isolates
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the network analyzer from the microwave energy source. In a further embodiment
the
microwave energy delivery device is a medical device.
[0027] The first transfer switch, in a first condition, passes a
testing signal from
the network analyzer to the microwave energy delivery device. In a second
condition the first
transfer switch passes a microwave energy signal from the microwave energy
source to the
microwave energy delivery device.
[0028] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure an
apparatus for
dissipating standing waves in a microwave energy delivery system includes a
circulator
configured to direct a periodic microwave signal from a microwave energy
source to the an
energy delivery network and configured to direct energy from the energy
delivery network to a
first resistive load wherein the first resistive load is connected between the
circulator and a
ground source, the first resistive load further configured to dissipate or
shunt residual energy
through the first resistive load. The first resistive load dissipates energy
reflective from the
energy delivery network when the periodic microwave signal is present and
dissipates residual
energy in the system when the periodic microwave signal is absent.
[0029] A method of dissipating standing waves in a microwave energy
delivery
system is also disclosed and includes the steps of: providing a microwave
energy source
configured to generate a continuous microwave energy signal; time-
proportioning the
continuous microwave energy signal between an energy delivery network and a
load resistor
connected to a ground potential, the energy delivery network configured to
intermittently
transmit a portion of the continuous microwave energy signal; dissipating
reflective energy when
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the energy delivery network is receiving the microwave energy signal; and
dissipating standing
waves when the energy delivery network is not receiving the microwave energy
signal.
[0030] The present disclosure relates to a microwave system
calibration apparatus
including an antenna portion configured to deliver microwave energy to tissue,
a transmission
line portion configured to receive a microwave energy signal from a microwave
source and to
selectively deliver the microwave energy signal to the antenna portion and a
switching
mechanism connected between the antenna portion and the transmission line
portion. The
transmission line includes an inner conductor having a length, an outer
conductor concentrically
surrounding the inner conductor along the length and a dielectric material
separating the inner
and outer conductors. The inner conductor or the outer conductor of the
transmission line
portion is electrically connected to the antenna. The switching mechanism is
configured to
electrically disconnect the transmission line portion from the antenna portion
in a first condition
and further configured to connect the inner conductor to the outer conductor
in a second
condition.
[0031] The switching mechanism may further include an internal
antenna circuit
with predetermined circuit parameters. In the second condition the inner
conductor connects to
the outer conductor through the internal antenna circuit. The impedance of the
internal antenna
circuit may be about 50 ohms. The microwave energy source controls the
operation of the
switching mechanism.
[0032] In another embodiment a calibrating microwave energy delivery
system
includes a microwave energy source configured to supply a microwave energy
signal and a
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microwave system calibration apparatus. The microwave system calibration
apparatus includes
an antenna portion, a transmission line portion and a switching mechanism
connected between
the antenna portion and the transmission line portion. The antenna portion is
configured to
deliver microwave energy to tissue. The transmission line portion receives a
microwave energy
signal from a microwave energy source and selectively deliver the microwave
energy signal to
the antenna portion. The transmission line portion includes an inner conductor
having a length,
an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor at lease partially along
the length and a
dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors. The inner
conductor or the outer
conductor of the transmission line portion electrically connects to the
antenna. The switching
mechanism includes a first switch configured to electrically disconnect the
transmission line
portion from the antenna portion and a second switch configured to connect the
inner conductor
to the outer conductor through an internal antenna circuit. The switching
mechanism connects
the transmission portion to the antenna portion, the internal antenna circuit
or an open circuit.
[0033] In a further embodiment the microwave energy source connects
to, and
controls the operation of the switching mechanism.
[0034] A method of calibrating a microwave system is also disclosed
and
includes the steps of: providing a calibrating microwave delivery device;
connecting the
calibrating microwave energy delivery device to a microwave source; performing
an open circuit
test: measuring at least one parameter related to the open circuit test;
performing a closed circuit
test; measuring at least one parameter related to the closed circuit test; and
determining at least
one calibration parameter related to the antenna portion of the calibrating
microwave energy
delivery device. The open circuit test is performed by activating a first
switch in the switching
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mechanism of the calibrating microwave energy delivery device, wherein the
first switch
produces a signal open proximal the antenna portion. The closed circuit test
is performed by
activating a second switch in the switching mechanism of the calibrating
microwave delivery
device, wherein the second switch connects the inner conductor to the outer
conductor through
an internal antenna circuit.
[0035] The present disclosure relates to a microwave energy
delivery and
measurement system including a microwave energy source configured to delivery
microwave
energy, a measurement system, a switching network configured to connect the
microwave energy
delivery device between the microwave energy source and the measurement
system, a tuner
connected between the switching network and the microwave energy delivery
device and a
control system. The tuner adjusts the circuit impendence of the microwave
energy delivery
device based on a tuner control signal. The control system is configured to
receive data from the
measurement system, determine an impedance mismatch between the microwave
energy
delivery device and the microwave energy source and provide the control signal
to the tuner. The
measurement system includes an analog input configured to receive a first
signal related to the
energy delivered by the microwave energy source and an analog output
configured to produce a
second signal configured to drive the microwave energy delivery device. A
parameter of the
second signal is related to a property of the microwave energy delivery
device.
[0036] In one embodiment the first signal received by the analog
input is forward
power, reflected power or temperature. The second signal produced by the
analog output is an
RF signal or a microwave signal.
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[0037] The switching network electrically isolates the microwave
energy source
and the measurement system. The microwave energy source may include a
microwave generator
configured to generate a microwave signal and a first switch configured to
receive the
microwave signal from the microwave generator. The first switch directs the
microwave signal to
a load resistor connected to a ground potential or the switching network.
[0038] In a further embodiment the switching network further
includes a second
switch configured to connect the microwave energy delivery device to the
measurement system
and the microwave energy system. The second switch provides electrical
isolation between the
microwave energy delivery system and the microwave generator.
[0039] In yet another embodiment the control system connects to, and
controls
the operation of the tuner. The control system may dynamically adjusts the
tuner during energy
delivery.
[0040] In yet a further embodiment the data received from the
control system is
forward power, reflected power or tissue impedance. The data received may also
include current,
voltage, frequency or impedance. The control system may perform at least one
adjustment of the
tuner based on the impedance mismatch between the microwave energy delivery
device and the
microwave energy source.
[0041] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for
calibrating a microwave
energy delivery device including a body defining a chamber portion therein,
the chamber portion
configured to receive a portion of a microwave energy delivery device and the
body is
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configured to absorb energy transmitted by the microwave energy delivery
device at a
predetermined absorption rate.
[0042] The chamber partially surrounds the microwave antenna of the
microwave
energy delivery device. The chamber is formed by the body is an elongate
cylindrical chamber,
the elongate cylindrical chamber adapted to receive the microwave antenna of
the microwave
energy delivery device.
[0043] In another embodiment the chamber is configured to engage
the
microwave antenna of the microwave energy delivery device within the chamber.
[0044] The body further includes a first body portion configured to
receive and
position the microwave energy delivery device and a second body portion
configured to engage
the first body portion and form the chamber therebetween. The first body
portion and the second
body portion may be hingedly engaged. The first and second body portions may
include a
locking mechanism that locks the calibration device to the microwave energy
delivery device.
The locking mechanism may be a clip, a latch, a pin, a locking hinge, a self
closing hinge, a
magnetic lock or an electronic closure mechanism.
[0045] In yet another embodiment the body may includes a positioner
to position
the microwave energy delivery device in a fixed position relative to the
chamber. The positioner
on the body may correspond to a substantially similar interface on the
microwave energy device.
The positioner and the interface may mate with each other to position the
microwave energy
delivery device in a fixed position relative to the chamber. The positioner
may be recessed
portion of the body and the interface may be a raised portion of the microwave
energy delivery
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device. The recessed portion and the raised portion mate together and position
the microwave
energy delivery device.
[0046] The first body portion and the second body portion surround a
portion of
the microwave energy delivery device in a first condition and are spaced
relative to a portion of
the microwave energy delivery device in a second condition.
[0047] A system for calibrating a microwave energy delivery device
is also
disclosed and includes a microwave generator configured to deliver a microwave
energy signal
to a microwave energy delivery device and a microwave system calibration
apparatus. The
microwave system calibration apparatus includes a body defining a chamber
portion therein, the
chamber portion configured to receive a portion of the microwave energy
delivery device. The
body configured to absorb microwave energy transmitted by the microwave energy
delivery
device at a predetermined absorption rate. The microwave generator measures a
measured
parameter related to the microwave energy signal delivered to the microwave
energy delivery
device and determines at least one calibration parameter related to the
calibration of the
microwave energy delivery device.
[0048] The chamber in the system may partially surround the
microwave antenna
of the microwave energy delivery device. The chamber, formed by the body, may
be an elongate
cylindrical chamber adapted to receive the microwave antenna of the microwave
energy delivery
device. The chamber may engage the microwave antenna of the microwave energy
delivery
device within the chamber.
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[0049] The measured parameter may be forward power, reflected power
or
temperature and the calibration parameter may be phase, frequency or
impedance.
[0050] In another embodiment of the system the microwave generator
may
determine engagement of the microwave energy delivery device with the
microwave system
calibration apparatus.
[0051] A method of calibrating a microwave energy delivery system is
also
disclosed and includes the steps of: connecting a microwave energy delivery
device to a
microwave generator; positioning the microwave energy delivery device in a
chamber defined in
a microwave energy calibration apparatus; delivering microwave energy to the
microwave
energy delivery device; measuring at least one measured parameter related to
the energy
delivery; determining at least one calibration parameter related to the
calibration of the
microwave energy device and utilizing the calibration parameter in a
subsequent energy delivery.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0052] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a microwave energy
delivery,
measurement and control system in an energy delivery mode according to an
embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0053] FIG. 2 is a state machine functional block diagram of the
microwave
energy delivery, measurement and control system of FIG. 1;
[0054] FIG. 3 is a switch control state machine for the microwave
energy
delivery, measurement and control system including a precision network
analyzer;
[0055] FIG. 4. is a functional block diagram of a precision network
analyzer
including passive and active measurements;
[0056] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a microwave energy
delivery,
measurement and control system including an impedance tuner;
[0057] FIG. 6 is a switch control state machine for the microwave
energy
delivery, measurement and control system including a precision network
analyzer, CPU and a
tuner;
[0058] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a microwave energy
delivery,
measurement and control system according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
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[0059] FIG. 8A is a schematic representation of an ablation device
for use in
calibrating the microwave energy delivery, measurement and control system of
the present
disclosure;
[0060] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional schematic representation of the
ablation
device and switching mechanism for calibrating the microwave energy delivery
device;
[0061] FIG. 8C is an electrical schematic of the switching mechanism
of FIG. 8B;
[0062] FIG. 9A is a schematic representation of a stand-alone
calibration device
for use in calibrating the microwave energy delivery, measurement and control
system of the
present disclosure; and
[0063] FIG. 9B is a schematic representation of a interfacing
calibration device
for use in calibrating the microwave energy delivery, management and control
system of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0064] Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are described
herein;
however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely
exemplary and may be
embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional
details disclosed herein
are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims
and as a representative
basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
disclosure in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
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[0065] Referring to FIG. 1, a Microwave Research Tool (MRT)
including a
measurement and control system for use in performing a medical procedure or
medical
procedure testing, employing embodiments of the present disclosure is
generally designated 100.
MRT 100 may provide all the functionality of a microwave generator typically
used to deliver
microwave energy in a medical procedure but with improved functionality as
described
herewithin. MRT 100 includes individual components, as illustrated in FIG. 1,
or the
functionality of individual components may be combined or included in one or
more
components. Components are interconnected with suitable cables and/or
connectors.
[0066] MRT 100 includes a microwave energy delivery system, a
measurement
system and a supervisory control system. Each system is described individually
although each
system may share common components as discussed hereinbelow.
[0067] The microwave energy delivery system includes a signal
generator 105
capable of generating and supplying a high frequency microwave signal to an
amplifier 110.
Signal generator 105 may be a single frequency generator or may include
variable frequency
capability. Signal generator 105 may also be capable of providing a signal
including two or
more frequencies wherein the device under test 115 (DUT) resonates at two or
more frequencies.
Supervisory control system may control various aspects of the signal generator
105 such as, for
example, the signal delivery timing, the frequency (or frequencies) of the
output and the phase of
the signal.
[0068] Amplifier 110 receives and amplifies the signal from the
signal generator
105 to a desirable energy level. Amplifier 110 may be a single or multi-stage
amplifier 110 and
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may include one or more signal conditioning circuits or filters (not shown)
such as, for example,
a low, high or bandpass circuits. Amplifier 110 gain may be fixed or
controlled by a suitable
controller, such as, for example, a control algorithm in the supervisory
control system, a central
processing unit 120 (CPU) or by manual adjustment (not shown).
[0069] Amplifier 110 supplies a continuous, amplified microwave
signal to a hot
switch relay 125. Hot switch relay 125 is controlled by the supervisory
control system or CPU
120 and switches the amplified microwave signal to one of an amplifier burn-
off load resistor
130 and a circulator 135. The hot switch relay 125 in Position A delivers
energy to the DUT 115
through the circulator 135. The hot switch relay 125 in Position B delivers
energy away from the
DUT 115 and into an amplifier burn-off load resistor 130.
[0070] Hot switch relay 125 may be any suitable solid-state high
power switch
capable of switching a high power microwave energy signal. Hot switch relay
125 receives the
high power microwave signal from the signal generator 105 and amplifier 110,
and passes the
signal between the amplifier burn-off load resistor 130 or the circulator 135
without powering
down the signal generator 105 or amplifier 110. One suitable device is a JFW
50S-1552-N,
which is a 150 watt 915 MHz dual pole single-throw solid-state switch that can
be powered by
two DC supply lines and controlled with a single TTL signal line from a
supervisory control
system or CPU 120. In use, the .1FW 50S-1552-N allows the MRT 100 to provide
near
instantaneous power (i.e. can provide nearly continuous power with very rapid
on/off
capabilities) without creating amplifier transients, by eliminating the need
to power down the
signal generator 105 or amplifier 110.
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[0071] At times, the MRT may provide two sources of electrical
isolation
between the microwave energy signal and the measurement devices. For example,
the first
source of electrical isolation may be provided by the electrical isolation in
the hot switch relay
125 between the output of Position A and the output of Position B. This
electrical isolation
prevents unacceptable amounts of energy from the high power microwave energy
signal from
being passed to the Position A output and to the measurement system connected
thereto. For
example, at 915 MHz the JFW 50S-1552-N switch (discussed above) provides about
45dB of
electrical isolation between outputs. The second source of electrical
isolation is provided by the
transfer switch 140 and the electrical isolation between Port 4 and Port 2 of
the transfer switch
140 discussed hereinbelow.
[0072] Continuous operation of the signal generator 105 and
amplifier 110
prevents the introduction of amplifier 110 transients into the microwave
energy delivery system.
To maintain continuous operation, the switching time between Positions A and B
on the hot
switch relay 125 should be sufficiently fast to allow continuous operation of
the signal generator
105 and amplifier 110. For example, at 915 MHz the JFW 50S-1552-N switches
between
Position A and B in about 360 ns and between Positions B and A in about 370
ns.
[0073] Amplifier burn-off load resistor 130 may be any suitable
coaxial
terminator capable of dissipating microwave energy while generating a minimal
amount of
VSWR, or reflective energy, over the bandwidth of the signal generator 105.
One such device is
a 1433-3 50-ohm 250-watt coaxial terminator sold by Aeroflex / Weinschel and
intended for
operation over the bandwidth of DC to 5 GHz. Over the entire bandwidth of the
1433-3 the
VSWR is less than 1.1.
21
CA 02681255 2009-09-30
[0074] Circulator 135 is a passive three port device that eliminates
standing
waves between the hot switch relay 125 and the transfer switch 140. Circulator
135 passes
signals received on Port A to Port B, signals received on Port B to Port C and
signals received on
Port C to Port A. When hot switch relay 125 is in Position A, the microwave
energy signal is
passed from Port A of the circulator 135 to the transfer switch 140 connected
to Port B.
Reflected energy from the transfer switch 140 or the DUT 115, received on Port
B, is passed to
Port C and dissipated through the reflected energy burn-off load resistor 142.
Reflected energy
burn-off load resistor 142 is similar in function to the amplifier burn-off
load resistor 130 as
discussed hereinabove.
[0075] Hot switch relay 125 and transfer switch 140, when switching
from
Positions A to Positions B, appears as open circuits to the circulator 135.
During and after
switching occurs, the circulator 135 clears the system of any residual power
left in the system by
directing the residual power into the reflected energy burn-off load resistor
142.
[0076] In addition, when hot switch relay 125 switches from Position
A to
Position B energy from dual directional coupler 145 and the DUT 115 is
directed through the
transfer switch 140, to the circulator 135 and is dissipated by the reflected
energy burn-off load
resistor 142. With the hot switch relay 125 and the transfer switch 140 both
in Position B the
MRT 100 connects to the DUT 115 and performs active measurements thereof.
Interaction
between the hot switch relay 125, the transfer switch 140 and active testing
of the DUT 115 is
further described hereinbelow.
22
CA 02681255 2009-09-30
[0077] Transfer switch 140 provides sufficient electrical isolation
between the
measurement system and the microwave energy delivery system. In Position A,
the high power
microwave energy signal is received on Port 4, passed to Port 3 and to the
directional coupler
145. The precision network analyzer 150, connected to Port 2 of the transfer
switch 140,
connects the transfer switch load resistor 155 on Port 1. In Position B,
energy received on Port 4
is passed to Port 1 and dissipated by the transfer switch load resistor 155,
and the precision
network analyzer 150 on Port 2 is connected to through Port 3 to the
directional coupler 145 and
the DUT 115. The transfer switch 140 maintains electrical isolation between
Ports 4 and 2 (and
electrical isolation between the high power microwave energy and the precision
network
analyzer 150) regardless of the transfer switch 140 position.
[0078] In operation, microwave energy is switched to the amplifier
burn-off load
resistor 130 by the hot switch relay 125 before the transfer switch 140
switches from Position A
to Position B. As such, the transfer switch 140 does not operate as a "hot
switch" because it is
not under a load from the signal generator 105 or amplifier 110 when switching
occurs.
[0079] One suitable device that may be used as a transfer switch 140
is a
TNH I D31 coaxial transfer switch sold by Ducommun of Carson California. The
TNH1D31
displays less than 1.05 VSWR, better than 0.1dB insertion loss and less than
80dB electrical
isolation for all states at 915 MHz. The hot switch relay 125 switches out the
high energy
microwave energy signal before the transfer switch 140 transitions, therefore,
transition times for
the transfer switch 140 are not critical. High-to-low transition times for the
INDH1D31 are
about 75 ms and low-to-high transitions times are about 25 ms.
23
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CA 02681255 2009-09-30
[0080] Directional coupler 145 may be configured to operate like
most
conventional directional couplers known in the available art. As illustrated
in FIG. 1, directional
coupler 145 passes the high power microwave energy signal received on Port 1
to Port 2 with
minimal insertion loss. Energy reflected back from the DUT 115 and received on
Port 2 of the
directional coupler 145 is passed through the transfer switch 140 to Port B of
the circulator 135.
Energy received from the transfer switch 140 on Port B of the circulator 135
is passed to Port C
of the circulator 135 and dissipated by the reflected energy burn-off load
resistor 142.
[0081] Directional coupler 145 samples a small portion of each of
the signals
received on Port 1 and Port 2 and passes a small portion of the signals to
Ports 3 and 4,
respectively. The signals on Port 3 and 4 are proportional to the forward and
reverse power,
respectively. The measurement system measures the signal samples and provides
the
measurements to the supervisory control system.
[0082] Directional coupler 145 samples a small portion of each of
the signals
received on Port 1 and Port 2 and passes a small portion of the signals to
Ports 3 and 4,
respectively. The signals on Port 3 and 4 are proportional to the forward and
reverse power,
respectively. The measurement system measures the signal samples and provides
the
measurements to the CPU 120. The forward and reverse power measurements from
the
directional coupler 145 are passively measured and the samples may be taken
continuously or at
a periodic sample frequency. Unlike the broadband scattering parameter
measurements, the
directional coupler 145 measurements are indirect measurements of the
delivered energy. As
such, the measurements from the directional coupler 145 are limited to the
bandwidth of the
microwave energy supplied to the ablation device 115 from the signal generator
100 (i.e.,
24
CA 02681255 2009-09-30
feedback is fixed to the frequency of the high power microwave energy signal).
A single
frequency measurements, or narrowband measurement, can be used to calibrate
amplitude and
phase at a single frequency. By calibrating and/or compensating for the return
loss to the
antenna feedpoint and phase for 'open' or 'short' we are able to obtain a
characteristic
representation of the antenna's behavior (i.e., a Smith Chart representation
of the antenna
behavior).
100831 One suitable directional coupler 145 is a directional coupler
sold by
Werlatone of Brewster, New York. The directional coupler 145 may be a 40dB
dual directional
coupler with 30dB directivity and less than 0.1dB insertion loss from 800 MHz
to 3 GHz.
[0084] DUT 115 includes a microwave ablation device that connects to
Port 2 of
the directional coupler 145 and may be any suitable microwave device capable
of delivering
microwave energy to tissue. DUT 115 may also include the tissue or surrounding
medium in
which the microwave ablation device is inserted or deployed.
[0085] Supervisory control system includes a central processor unit
120 (CPU)
capable of executing instructions and/or performing algorithms, configured to
receive one or
more inputs and may be configured to control one or more devices in the MRT
100. Inputs may
include analog inputs, such as, for example, signals from the forward and
reverse coupling ports,
Port 3 and Port 4 of the directional coupler 145, respectively. Inputs may
also include digital
inputs, such as, for example, communication with one or more devices (i.e.,
precision network
analyzer 150).
CA 02681255 2009-09-30
[0086] CPU 120 may control one or more components of the MRT 100.
The
signal generator 105 may receive at least one of an enabled / disabled control
signal from the
CPU 120 and reference signal. Enable / disable control signal indicates that
the MRT system is
in a condition to receive a microwave signal (i.e., the hot switch relay 125
and/or the transfer
switch 140 are in a suitable position to receive a microwave signal).
Reference signals may
include the desired microwave frequency and a gain setting. CPU 120 may also
provide control
signals to the precision network analyzer 150.
[0087] The functionality of the measurement system may be performed
in the
CPU 120 and the precision network analyzer 150. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the
CPU 120 receives
the passive inputs of power measurements (i.e., forward and reflected power
signals from the
directional coupler 145) and the precision network analyzer 150 performs
active measurements
of the DUT 115.
[00881 The measurement system may include other inputs, such as, for
example,
temperature sensors, cooling fluid temperature or flow sensors, movement
sensors, power
sensors, or electromagnetic field sensors. For example, an array of
temperature sensors (not
shown) configured to measure tissue temperature surrounding the DUT may be
connected to the
CPU 120 or the precision network analyzer 150. Tissue temperatures may be used
to generate an
estimation of an ablation size or to generate an alarm or fault condition.
Cooling fluid
temperature or flow sensors may be used to indicate proper operation of a
cooled DUT 115.
[0089] In another embodiment, the CPU 120 or precision network
analyzer 150
may include all of the functionality of the supervisory control system,
measurement system or
26
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CA 02681255 2009-09-30
any combination thereof. For example, in another embodiment of the present
disclosure, as
disclosed hereinbelow, the precision network analyzer 150 may receive the
passive inputs,
performs the active measurements and then report information to the
supervisory system.
[0090] In yet another embodiment, the precision network analyzer
150 is part of a
modular system, such as, for example, a PXI system (PCI eXtensions for
Instrumentation) fold
by National Instrument of Austin, Texas. A PXI system (not shown) may include
a chassis
configured to house a plurality of functional components that form the MRT 100
and connect
over a CPI backplane, across a PCI bridge or by any other suitable connection.
[0091] Precision network analyzer 150 of the measurement system may
connect
to Port 2 of the transfer switch 140. Precision network analyzer 150 may be
any suitable
network analyzer capable of performing scattering parameter measurements of
the DUT and/or
determining loss information for transmission system. Alternatively, precision
network analyzer
150 may be a computer or programmable controller containing a module, program
or card that
performs the functions of the precision network analyzer 150.
[0092] In the embodiment in FIG. 1, precision network analyzer 150
is a stand-
alone device or member that is in operative communication with transfer switch
140 and/or CPU
120. In another embodiment, the functionality of the precision network
analyzer 150 may be an
integral part of the supervisory control system (i.e., a function of the CPU
120).
[0093] Precision network analyzer 150 may function in a fashion
similar to most
conventional network analyzers that are known in the available art. That is,
precision network
analyzer 150 may determine various properties that are associated with the
energy delivery
27
CA 02681255 2009-09-30
system of the MRT 100, such as, for example, the transmission line, the DUT
115 or the medium
surrounding the DUT 115 (i.e., tissue). More particularly, the precision
network analyzer 150
determines at least one property or conditions associated with increases in
reflected energy (i.e.,
properties that can be correlated to reduction in energy transmission or
decreases in overall
system efficiency, such as, a change in the characteristic impedance (Z0) of
at least a portion of
the microwave energy delivery system). One suitable precision network analyzer
150 is a four
port precision network analyzer sold by Agilent of Santa Clara, California.
[0094] Precision network analyzer 150 may connect to the transfer
switch 140
through an attenuator 160 or other suitable protection device. In another
embodiment attenuator
160 may scale the signal from the transfer switch 140 to one of a suitable
power, current and
voltage level.
[0095] Attenuator 160 may be a limiting device, such as, for
example, a fuse-type
device that opens a circuit when a high power signal is detected. Limiting
device may appear
transparent to the precision network analyzer 150 until the limiting device is
hit with a high
power signal. One such device is a power limiter sold by Agilent of Santa
Clara, California, that
provides a 10 MHz to 18 GHz broadband precision network analyzer input
protection from
excess power, DC transients and electrostatic discharge. The attenuator 160
limits RF and
microwave power to 25dBm and DC voltage to 30 volts at 25 C at 16 volts at 85
C with turn-
on times of less than 100 picoseconds.
[0096] Limiting device may function as one of a fuse and a circuit-
breaker type
device. Fuse device may need to be removed and replaced after failure while a
circuit-breaker
28
CA 02681255 2009-09-30
type device may include a reset that reinitializes the circuit breaker after a
failure. Reset may be
a manual reset or MRT 100 may include a reset circuit that is initiated and/or
performed by the
supervisory control system or the like.
[0097] In an energy delivery mode, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the MRT
100 is
configured to delivery energy to the DUT 115. The microwave energy signal from
the signal
generator 105 and amplifier 110 passed between the hot switch relay 125 in
Position A, the
circulator 135, the transfer switch 140 in Position A, the directional coupler
145 and the DUT
115. The measurement system (i.e., the CPU 120) passively measures forward and
reflected
energy at Port 3 and 4 of the dual directional coupler 145. The precision
network analyzer 150 is
electrically isolated from the high energy microwave signal by the transfer
switch 140.
[00981 In another embodiment of the present disclosure, electrical
isolation
between the ports of the transfer switch 140 allows a portion of the signal at
Ports 3 and 4 to pass
to Ports 1 and 2 wherein the passed signal is proportional to the high energy
microwave signal
from the signal generator 105 and amplifier 110. The energy of the passed
signal is either
sufficiently attenuated by the transfer switch 140 to prevent damage the
precision network
analyzer 150 or the precision network analyzer 150 may be protected from
excessive energy,
(i.e., transients and current or voltage spikes) by the attenuator 155, or
alternatively, a limiter.
The passed signal is shunted to a matched or a reference load and dissipated,
through the transfer
switch load resistor 155 connected to Port 1 and measured at Port 2 by the
precision network
analyzer 150.
29
,
CA 02681255 2009-09-30
[0099] Precision network analyzer 150 may be configured to passively
measure
the forward and reflected voltages from the directional coupler 145 and the
energy waveform
from transfer switch 140. Power parameters, including the magnitude and phase
of the
microwave signal, may be obtained or calculated from the measured signals, by
conventional
algorithms or any suitable method known in the available art. In one
embodiment, the forward
and reflected measurements of power and phase can be used to determine
impedances and
admittances at a given frequency using a Smith Chart.
[00100] In another embodiment, the impedance at the MRT 100 may be calculated
as follows: First, the forward and reflected voltages, Vd and Vref,
respectively, are measured.
Then, the voltage standing wave ratio (VswR) may be calculated using the
equation:
Vfivd + Vref
r ,SWR
V V
¨
fwd ref
[00101] The magnitude of the load impedance (ZL) may be determined by first
computing the reflection coefficient, F, from VswR using the following
equation:
V ¨1
IFI SWR
VswR +1
[00102] Then, based on intrinsic system impedance, the load impedance ZL is:
Z (1+ r)
z=
(i-r)
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CA 02681255 2009-09-30
[00103] Phase must be determined by the measured phase angle between the
forward and reflected signals.
[00104] Those skilled in the relative art can appreciate that the phase may be
determined with calibrated or known reference phases (e.g., measurements with
a short or open
at the antenna feedpoint) and with measured values of Vd and Võf. The
magnitude and the
phase of ZL can then be communicated or relayed to the supervisory control
system that may be
designed to make adjustments to the MRT as discussed hereinbelow.
[00105] FIG. 2 displayed the MRT system state machine 200. The six states,
defined as State S, State C and States 1-4, show the various states of the MRT
100 in FIG. 1 and
are designated as 210-260, respectively. The operating states of the MRT 100
of FIG. 1 are
determined by the position of the two switches, the hot switch relay 125 and
the transfer switch
140, and the previous operating state of the MRT 100. In use, the operation of
the MRT 100
flows between the six states. Multiple states end in the same switch
orientation but are shown as
different states to illustrate a unique control sequence. The utility of each
state during the
ablation cycle are described hereinbelow.
[00106] State S 210 is the Standby State 210 of the MRT. When power is removed
both switches 125, 140 default to this condition, therefore, this condition is
also the failsafe
position (i.e., the default condition when power is removed or on power
failure directs energy
away from the patient or medical personnel). As such, the system provides for
safe operation in
the case of power failure, fault detection or when the system is not in use. A
failsafe Standby
State 210 also ensures that on startup, transient power spikes or other
potentially dangerous
31
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CA 02681255 2009-09-30
power surges from the amplifier 110 are directed into the amp burn-off matched
load resistor 130
thereby protecting equipment downstream from the hot switch relay 125.
[00107] State C 220 is the Calibration State 220 of the MRT. During the
Calibration State 220 the hot switch relay 125 directs microwave power from
the signal
generator 105 and amplifier 110 to the amp burn-off load resistor 130 and the
transfer switch 140
connects the precision network analyzer 150 to the DUT 115. One or more
calibrations are
performed during this state. In one first calibration the precision network
analyzer 150 may be
calibrated to the DUT 115 reference plane, through the attenuator 160,
transfer switch 140 and
directional coupler 145, for broadband scattering parameter measurements. A
second calibration
may involve the measurement of line attenuation between the directional
coupler 145 output
ports and the DUT 115 reference plane. Determining line attenuation may
require a second
calibration value that may be obtained by replacing the DUT with an 'open' or
'short' at the exact
reference path length. Alternatively, a second calibration value may be
obtained by operating the
antenna in air and comparing this value with a known value of the antenna
operating in air. This
attenuation value is used to calibrate power measurements at the directional
coupler 145 to
power delivered to the DUT 115. An initial broadband scattering parameter
measurement may
be made during the Calibration State 220 to capture the DUT 115 impedance
within uncooked
tissue.
[00108]
State 1 130 begins post calibration or after State 4 260. During State 1
130, the transfer switch 140 is activated which connects the DUT 115 load to
Port 2 of the
circulator 140 and the precision network analyzer 150 to the terminal switch
load resistor 155.
In State 1 230, the only high power signal present in the system is flowing
between the signal
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,
CA 02681255 2009-09-30
generator 105, the amplifier 110, the hot switch relay 125 in Position B and
the amplifier burn-
off resistor 130. State 1 230 may include a delay to ensure that the transfer
switch 140 has
transitioned from Position B to Position A. A fault condition in State 1 230
returns the system to
State S 210, the Standby State 210.
[00109] State 2 240 begins after the transfer switch 140 has completed the
transfer
switch's 140 switching cycle in State 1 230. A high control signal, delivered
to the hot switch
relay 125 from the CPU 120, directs power from the signal generator 105 and
amplifier 110
through the circulator 135, transfer switch 140, directional coupler 145 and
into the DUT 115.
State 2 240 is the period during which an ablation is generated and generally
represents the
majority of system time. A fault condition in State 2 240 returns the system
to State S 210, the
Standby State 210.
[00110] State 3 250 ends a period of power delivery to the DUT 115 in
preparation
for a precision network analyzer 150 scattering parameter measurement. A low
signal is
presented to the hot switch relay 125 directing power from the signal
generator 105 and amplifier
110 into the amplifier burn-off load resistor 130. A period of clear line wait
time is added to the
end of State 3 to allow the system to clear the circuit of high power signals.
A fault condition in
State 3 returns the system to State S, the Standby State 210.
[00111]
State 4 260 is initiated after the clear line wait time at the end of State 3
250 expires. State 4 260 is initiated by activating the transfer switch 140.
Activation of the
transfer switch 140 restores the system to the calibration configuration
allowing the precision
network analyzer 150 to perform broadband scatter parameter measurement of the
DUT 115.
33
CA 02681255 2009-09-30
The only high power signals present in the system flow between the signal
generator 105, the
amplifier 110, the hot switch relay 125 and the amplifier burn-off load
resistor 130. After the
precision network analyzer 150 completes a measurement cycle the system leaves
State 4 260,
re-enters State 1 230, and the MRT 100 repeats the cycle unless the ablation
cycle has ended or a
fault occurs, in which case the system enters State S 210, the Standby State
210.
1001121 The MRT system state machine 200 essentially eliminates the risk of
high
power signals from potentially damaging sensitive microwave equipment, such
as, for example,
the precision network analyzer 150. Additional switching and clear line delay
times may be
added into the system to ensure this safety aspect of the system architecture.
[00113] FIG 3 is a switch control state machine 300 for the microwave energy
delivery, measurement and control system of the present disclosure. With
reference to FIG. 1,
the position of the hot switch relay 125 is indicated in the upper timing
diagram of FIG. 3 and the
position of the transfer switch 140 is indicated in the lower timing diagram.
A measurement
period 310 includes an energy delivery period 320, a clear line period 330, a
first transfer
transient period 340, a precision network analyzer sweep period 350 and a
second transfer
transient period 360. The energy delivery period 320 is the period in which
energy is delivered
to the DUT 115 and initializes the start of a new measurement period 310. The
clear line period
330, which follows the energy delivery period 320, provides a delay in which
the standing waves
and transients in the system are allowed to dissipate through the circulator
135 and load 142 or
the DUT 115. The first transfer transient period 340 provides a delay to allow
the transfer switch
140 to transition from Position A to Position B. The precision network
analyzer sweep period
350 provides time for the precision network analyzer 150 to perform broadband
scattering
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CA 02681255 2009-09-30
parameter measurements. The second transfer transient period 360 provides a
delay to allow the
transfer switch 140 to transition from Position B to Position A.
[00114] The time intervals of the timing diagrams in the switch control state
machine 300 of FIG. 3 are not necessarily to scale. For example, if the system
is providing a
continuous waveform, the energy delivery period 320, or the "on-time" in which
microwave
energy is delivered to the DUT 115, is a majority of the measurement period
310. The remaining
portion of the measurement period 310, or "off-time", is split between the
clear line period 330,
the first transfer transient period 340, the precision network analyzer sweep
period 350 and
second transfer transient periods 360. The clear line period 330 and the first
and second transfer
transient periods 340, 360 may be fixed in duration and based on the specific
hardware used in
the MRT system 100. The precision network analyzer sweep period 350 is based
on one or more
sampling parameters. Sampling parameters include the sweep bandwidth, the
number of steps
within the bandwidth, the number of samples taken at each step and the
sampling rate.
[00115] The clear line period 330 must be sufficient in duration to allow all
transients in the system to dissipate after the hot switch relay 125 switches
from Position A to
Position B. Transient, such as, for example, standing waves or reflective
energy, may "bounce"
between components before eventually being dissipated or shunted by the
reflected energy burn-
off load resistor 142, dissipated in the system 100, or expended by the DUT
115. For example,
the hot switch relay 125 may switch from Position A to Position B in as little
as about 360 ns,
thereby leaving energy in the MRT 110 between the circulator 135 and the DUT
115. The
energy may be sufficiently high to damage the precision network analyzer 150
if energy is not
dissipated.
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CA 02681255 2009-09-30
[00116] After switching occurs energy remains in the system for an amount of
time. The amount of time is related to the cable length, or path distance,
between the antenna
and the hot switch relay 125. For a typical system using conventional cables
having a
transmission line with a dielectric value (s) of about 2, the signal speed is
about 1.5 ns / ft for
each direction. For example, a circuit and cable length of about 10 feet
between the DUT and
the switch, a signal traveling away from the hot switch relay 125 would travel
once cycle, or the
20 feet between the hot switch relay 125, the DUT 115 and back to the hot
switch relay 125, in
about 30 ns. Without dissipating the standing waves, the signal may ringing,
or remain in the
system, for as many as 5 cycles between the hot switch relay 125 and the DUT
115, or about 150
ns. Circulator may dissipate the standing waves to an acceptably low energy
level in as little as
one or two cycles between the DUT and the hot switch relay 125. Transfer
switch 140 remains
in Position A until the energy has dissipated to acceptably low energy levels.
[00117] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the clear line period
330
is variable and determined by measurements performed by the precision network
analyzer 150 or
the CPU 120. For example, measurements from the forward coupling port (Port 3)
or the reverse
coupling port (Port 4) of the directional coupler 145 may be used to determine
if energy remains
in the system. The hardware design, or at low microwave energy levels, the
amount of transient
energy remaining in the MRT 100 after the hot switch relay 125 transitions
from Position A to
Position B, may be minimal and may allow the clear line period 330 to be equal
to, or about
equal to, zero.
[00118] First transfer transient periods 340 provide a delay before initiating
the
precision network analysis sweep 350. The first transfer transient period 340
allows the transfer
36
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CA 02681255 2009-09-30
switch 140 to switch from Position A to Position B before the precision
network analyzer 150
begins the broadband scattering parameter sweep.
[00119] Second transfer transient period 360 provides a delay before the
subsequent measurement period begins (i.e., the next energy delivery period).
The second
transfer transient period 360 allows the transfer switch 140 to switch from
Position B to Position
A before the hot switch relay 125 transitions from Position B to Position A
and energy delivery
to the DUT 115 resumes.
[00120] During the precision network analyzer sweep 350, the precision network
analyzer 150 determines broadband small-signal scattering parameter
measurements. The sweep
algorithm, and the amount of time to perform the sweep algorithm, is
determined by the specific
control algorithm executed by the CPU 120. Unlike the passive forward and
reflected power
measurements, the measurements taken during the precision network analyzer
sweep period 350
are active measurements wherein the precision network analyzer 150 drives the
DUT 115 with a
broadband signal and measures at least one parameter related to the signal
(i.e., S11, reflection
coefficient, reflection loss). The CPU 120 uses at least one of an active
measurement taken by
the network analyzer 350 during the broadband small signal scattering
parameter measurements
or a passive measurements from the directional coupler 145 in a feedback
algorithms to control
further energy delivery and/or subsequent MRT 100 operation.
[00121] Energy delivery time, or "on-time", as a percentage of the measurement
period, may be adjusted. For example, the initial duration of the energy
delivery may be based
on historical information or based on at least one parameter measured during
the calibration or
37
CA 02681255 2009-09-30
start-up states, 220 210, discussed hereinabove. The "on-time" may be
subsequently adjusted,
either longer or shorter, in duration. Adjustments in the "on-time" may be
based on the
measurements performed by one of the precision network analyzer 150 and the
CPU 120, from
historical information and/or patient data. In one embodiment, the initial
duration of an energy
delivery period 320 in the ablation procedure may be about 95% of the total
measurement period
310 with the remaining percentage, or "off-time", reserved for measurement
("on-time" duty
cycle approximately equal to about 95%). As the ablation procedure progresses,
the "on-time"
duty cycle may be reduced to between 95% and 5% to reduce the risk of
producing tissue char
and to provide more frequent measurements. The "off-time" may also be used to
perform
additional procedures that provide beneficial therapeutic effects, such as,
for example, tissue
hydration, or for purposes of tissue relaxation.
[00122] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated in
FIG. 4,
the MRT 400 includes a signal generator 405, a microwave amplifier 410, a
directional coupler
445, a transfer switch 440, an attenuator 455, a precision network analyzer
450 and a DUT 415.
In the present embodiment, the precision network analyzer 450 performs active
and passive
measurements of various system parameters of the MRT 400.
[00123] MRT 400 includes a signal generator 405 and amplifier 410 to generate
and supply a high energy microwave signal to the directional coupler 445. In
an energy delivery
mode the directional coupler 445 passes the signal to Port 2 of the transfer
switch 440 and the
transfer switch 440 passes the signal to the DUT 415 through Port 3. In a
measurement mode,
the high energy microwave signal is passed to a terminator 155 connected to
Port 1 of the
transfer switch 440. Precision network analyzer 450 connects the first and
second passive ports
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CA 02681255 2009-09-30
451, 452 to the forward and reflected power ports, Ports 3 and 4, of the
directional coupler 445,
respectively. The active port 453 of the precision network analyzer 450
connects to Port 4 of the
transfer switch 440. Precision network analyzer 450 may connect to Port 4 of
the transfer switch
440 through a suitable attenuator 455 as illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed
hereinabove.
[00124] In an energy delivery mode, the precision network analyzer 450 of the
MRT 400 passively measures forward and reflected power of the high energy
microwave signal
from the forward and reflected power ports, Ports 3 and 4, respectively, of
the directional coupler
445.
[00125] In a measurement mode, the precision network analyzer 450 of the MRT
400 actively performs broadband scattering parameter measurements by
connecting to the DUT
415 through Ports 3 and 4 of the transfer switch 440. The precision network
analyzer 450 drives
the DUT 415 with a signal at a range of frequencies and measures at least one
parameter related
to the DUT 415 at a plurality of frequencies.
[00126] Transfer switch 440 may be a single-pole, dual-throw coaxial switch
that
provides sufficient electrical isolation between Port 2 and Port 4 of the
transfer switch 440
thereby preventing the high energy signal from damaging the precision network
analyzer 450 in
either the energy delivery mode, the measurement mode and while switching
therebetween.
Attenuator 455 provides sufficient signal attenuation to prevent the high
energy signal from
damaging the precision network analyzer 450. Alternatively, attenuator may be
a limiting-type
device as discussed hereinabove.
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[00127] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated in
FIG.
5, the MRT 500 includes a tuner 565 positioned between the dual directional
coupler 545 and the
DUT 515. The tuner 565 may be a tuning network or tuning circuit configured to
match the
impedance of the delivery system with the impendence of the DUT 515 or,
alternatively, the
tuner 565 is configured to match the impedance of the DUT 515 to the impedance
of the delivery
system. Tuner 565 may include a variable stub tuning network, a diode network
or any other
automated tuning network or circuit capable of high power operation and having
the ability to
match the DUT 565 impedance variations to the MRT 500 system impedance over
the cooking
cycle.
[00128] In calculating a tuner adjustment, the CPU 520 characterizes the tuner
565
and removes the tuner 565 from the signal measured in the active measurement
portion of the
measuring cycle.
[00129] Tuner 565 may be incorporated into the DUT 515 wherein the CPU 520
directs the tuner 565 to actively changes one or more properties of the
antenna (not shown) in the
DUT 515 such that the antenna impedance appears to be about equal to a
characteristic
impedance, e.g. 50 Ohms. For example, the CPU 520 may instruct the tuner 565
to change the
effective antenna length or change one or more dielectric properties.
[00130] The CPU 520 may use feedback from the measurement system to optimize
energy delivery to the DUT 515 during at least a portion of the ablation
procedure. Optimization
may include: changing the frequency of the delivered microwave energy to
better match the
CA 02681255 2009-09-30
impedance of the DUT 515, using the tuner 565 to adjust the output impedance
of the MRT 500
to match the impendence of the DUT 515 or a combination thereof.
[00131] In one embodiment the supervisory control system uses a forward power
measurement from directional coupler 545, a reverse power measurement from the
directional
coupler 545, or one or more broadband scattering perimeter measurements to
optimize energy
delivery.
[00132] FIG 6 is a switch control state machine 600 for the microwave energy
delivery, measurement and control system 500 illustrated in FIG. 5. The
position of the hot
switch relay 525 is indicated in the upper timing diagram and the position of
the transfer switch
540 is indicated in the lower timing diagram. A measurement period 610
includes an energy
delivery period 620, a clear line period 630, a first transfer transient
period 640, a measurement,
CPU processing and tuner control period 650 and a second transfer transient
period 660. The
clear line period 630 is after the energy delivery period 620 and provides a
delay in which the
standing waves and transients in the MRT 500 are allowed to dissipate. The
first transfer
transient period 640 provides a delay to allow the transfer switch 540 to
transition from Position
A to Position B. The measurement, CPU processing and tuner control period 650
allows the
precision network to perform broadband scattering parameter measurements,
perform control
algorithms in the CPU and to perform adjustments to system tuning. The second
transfer
transient period 660 provides a delay to allow the transfer switch 540 to
transition from Position
B to Position A.
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[00133] The time intervals of the timing diagrams in the switch control state
machine 600 of FIG. 6 are not to scale. For example, the energy delivery
period 620, or "on-
time" in which microwave energy is delivered to the DUT 515, is typically
equal to a majority of
the measurement period 610. The remaining portion of the measurement period,
or "off-time", is
split between the clear line period 630, the first transfer transient period
640, the measurement,
CPU processing and tuner control period 650 and second transfer transient
periods 660. The
clear line period 630 and the first and second transfer transient periods 640,
660, respectively,
may be fixed in duration and based on specific hardware in the system. The
measurement, CPU
processing and tuner control period 650 is based on the sampling parameter,
processing time or
tuner control time. Sampling parameters include the sweep bandwidth, the
number of steps
within the bandwidth, the number of samples taken at each step and the
sampling rate. The CPU
processing includes the execution of the tuner algorithm and the tuner control
time includes a
frequency adjustment, a tuner adjustment or any related system settling time.
[00134] The clear line period 630 must be sufficient in duration to allow all
transients in the system to dissipate after the hot switch relay 625 switches
from Position A to
Position B. Transient, such as, for example, standing waves or reflective
energy, may "bounce"
between components before eventually being dissipated or shunted through the
reflected energy
burn-off load resistor 642, dissipated in the system, or expended by the DUT
615. For example,
the hot switch relay 625 may switch in from Position A to Position B in as
little as about 360 ns,
thereby leaving energy in the circuit between the circulator 635 and the DUT
615. The energy
present in the MRT 500 circuitry and the DUT 515 may be sufficiently high to
damage the
precision network analyzer 550, therefore, the transfer switch 540 remains in
Position A until the
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CA 02681255 2009-09-30
energy has dissipated to acceptably low energy levels. As discussed
hereinabove, the amount of
time for the energy to dissipate is dependent on the circuit and cable length
in which the standing
waves must travel. In one embodiment (dielectric value, a, = 2) the length of
time is equal to:
dissipation time = (2 X distance * 1.5 ns / ft ) * safety factor;
wherein the distance equals the circuit length plus the cable length, safety
factor equals 2 or 3
and the speed of 1.5 ns/ft is based upon approximately sr=2 for typical
transmission line cables
[00135] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the clear line period
630
is variable and determined by the precision network analyzer 550 or the CPU
520 measurements.
For example, measurements from the forward coupling port (Port 3) and the
reverse coupling
port (Port 4) of the directional coupler 545, may be used to determine if
energy remains in the
system. The hardware design, or at low microwave energy levels the amount of
transient energy
remaining in the system after the hot switch relay 625 transitions from
Position A to Position B,
may be minimal and may allow the clear line period to be equal to, or about
equal to, zero.
[00136] First transfer transient period 640 provides a delay before initiating
the
measurement, CPU processing and tuner control period 650. The first transfer
transient period
640 allows the transfer switch 540 to switch from Position A to Position B
before the precision
network 550 begins the broadband scattering parameter sweep.
[00137] Second transfer transient period 360 provides a delay before the
subsequent measurement period begins (i.e., the next energy delivery period).
The second
transfer transient period 660 allows the transfer switch 640 to switch from
Position B to Position
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A before the hot switch relay 525 transitions from Position B to Position A
and energy delivery
to the DUT 515 resumes.
[00138] During the measurement, CPU processing and tuner control period, the
precision network analyzer 550 determines broadband small-signal scattering
parameter
measurements. The measurement algorithm is determined by the specific control
algorithm used
by the supervisory control system and is similar to the precision network
analyzer sweep
algorithm discussed hereinabove. The supervisory control system, or CPU 520,
the active
measurements of the broadband small signal scattering parameter measurements
or the passive
measurements from the directional coupler 545 in a tuning algorithm. The
tuning algorithm
checks for the presence of a mismatch in impedance between the MRT 500, the
DUT515, and/or
any combination thereof, and determines if an adjustment is necessary to
correct the impedance
mismatch.
[00139] Energy delivery time, or "on-time", as a percentage of the measurement
period, may be adjusted. For example, the initial duration of the energy
delivery may be based
on historical information or based on at least one parameter measured during
the calibration or
start-up states, 220 210, discussed hereinabove. The "on-time" may be
subsequently adjusted,
either longer or shorter, in duration. Adjustments may be based on the
measurements performed
by the precision network analyzer 550 and/or the CPU 510 or from historical
information and/or
patient data. In one embodiment, the initial duration of an energy delivery
period in the ablation
procedure may be about 95% of the total measurement period with the remaining
percentage, or
"off-time", reserved for measurement ("on-time" duty cycle approximately equal
to about 95%).
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As the ablation procedure progresses, the "on-time" duty cycle may be reduced
to between 95%
and 5% to reduce the risk of producing tissue char and to provide more
frequent measurements.
[00140] The "off-time" may also be used to perform additional procedures that
provide beneficial therapeutic effects, such as, tissue hydration, or for
purposes of tissue
relaxation. For example, tuning algorithm may initiate a re-hydration of
tissue to reduce tissue
impedance instead of adjusting the frequency or re-tuning the MRT.
[00141] Another embodiment of the MRT is illustrated in FIG. 7 and is shown as
MRT 700. MRT 700 includes a variable attenuator 770 that replaces the hot
switch relay 125 in
the MRT 100 in FIG. 1. In FIG. 7, the MRT 700 includes a signal generator 705
that supplies a
microwave frequency signal to the variable attenuator 770. Variable attenuator
770 includes a
variable network or circuit that scales the signal from the signal generator
705 between 0% and
100% and provides the scaled signal to the amplifier 710. Amplifier 710
amplifies the signal by
a fixed amount and provides the signal to the circulator 735.
[00142] The MRT 100 in FIG. 1 controls the energy output (i.e., the power of
the
microwave signal) by adjusting the output of the signal generator 105 and/or
the gain of the
amplifier 110 (i.e., signal from the signal generator 105 amplified by the
gain of the amplifier
710). In the MRT 700 of FIG. 7, the energy output is controlled by one or more
of the signal
generator 705, the variable attenuator 770 and the amplifier 710. The output
energy of the MRT
700 in FIG. 7 is equal to the signal generator 705 output scaled by variable
attenuator 770
attenuation percentage and amplified by the gain of the amplifier 710.
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[00143] With reference to the hot switch relay 125 in FIG. 1 and the variable
attenuator 770 in FIG. 7, Position A of the hot switch relay 125 is equivalent
to the variable
attenuator 770 is Position A (i.e., a scaling factor of 100%). In both FIGS. 1
and 7, Position A
provides microwave energy to Port A of the circulator 135 and 735,
respectively. Similarly,
Position B of the hot switch relay 125 is equivalent to the variable
attenuator 770 in Position B
(i.e., a scaling factor of 0%). Position B in both FIGS. 1 and 7, no microwave
energy signal is
provided to Port A of the circulator 135 and 735, respectively.
[00144] The hot switch relay 125 in the MRT 100 of FIG. 1 includes a switch
that
switches between Position A and Position B and is capable of executing the
transition in a
minimum amount of time to prevent transients or spikes in the waveform. The
variable
attenuator 770 in the MRT 700 of FIG. 7 may includes an automated variable
attenuator, such as,
for example, a rheostat-like circuit that does not switch but transitions
between Position A and
Position B thereby generating fewer transients compared to the switch in FIG.
1.
[00145] Attenuator activation time would be added to the dissipation time
calculation for safe switching and measurement.
[00146] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the DUT includes
a
MRT calibration device configured to measure the length of the transmission
path from the
antenna feedpoint to the directional coupler and each respective signal to the
network analyzer.
FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of an ablation device for use in
calibrating a microwave
energy delivery, measurement and control system of the present disclosure.
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[00147] As is known in the art, calibration of a microwave energy delivery
system
may be preformed by various calibration procedures. For example, one of a
Short-Open-Load
(SOL), a Short-Open-Load-Thru (SOLT), a Short-Short-Load-Thru (SSLT) and a
Thru-Reflect-
Line (TRL) calibration technique may be used.
[00148] In one embodiment the system is calibrated with a Short-Open (SO)
calibration technique. The SO calibration provides a determination of the
relative performance
of the DUT. The Short-Open calibration technique is known in the art and is
generally described
hereinbelow.
[00149] The first step of the SO calibration is preformed by running the
microwave
generator with a "short" at the output of the microwave generator (i.e., the
coaxial cable
connector). The second step of the SO calibration is preformed by running the
microwave
generator with the output of the microwave generator "open". The two steps of
the SO
calibration, which is often referred to as "shifting a reference plane" allows
the generator to
analyze the system up to the output of the directional coupler. One
shortcoming of performing
this calibration by placing the "open" and the "short" at the output of the
generator is that the
calibration fails to account for any portion of the transmission line beyond
the microwave
generator.
[00150] FIG. 8A illustrates the output portion of a microwave generator 810
and a
coaxial cable 820 that connects the microwave generator 810 to an MRT
calibration device 800
of the present disclosure. The MRT calibration device 800 includes a
transmission portion 830
and an antenna portion 840.
47
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[00151] FIG. 8B illustrates the transition between the transmission portion
830 and
the antenna portion 840. Switching mechanism 850 is located adjacent on the
proximal portion
of the antenna under test 840 and on the distal portion of the transmission
portion 830 of the
MRT calibration device 800. Switching mechanism 850 allows the system to
perform an SO
calibration without replacing the DUT.
[00152] Switching mechanism 850 is further illustrated in FIG. 8C and includes
an
open circuit switch 850a, a short circuit switch 850b and a short circuit load
840a.
[00153] The switching mechanism 850 in the MRT calibration device 800 allows
the reference plane to be shifted to a point proximal the antenna thereby
accounting for a
majority of the transmission path in the calibration procedure. An open
circuit is first obtained
by actuating the open circuit switch 850a to an open position thereby
disconnecting the inner
conductor 832 and outer conductor 834 from the antenna under test 815.
[00154] A short circuit between the inner conductor 832 and the outer
conductor
834 through a short circuit load 840a is obtained by transition the short
circuit switch 850b from
Position A to Position B. The short circuit load 840a is a fixed load that
replaces the antenna
under test 815. For example, in one embodiment the short circuit load 840a is
an antenna with a
feedpoint equivalent to the antenna under test 815 thereby providing a known
antenna response
that can be used to calibrate the antenna under test 815.
[00155] With the short circuit switch 850b in Position B the system yields a
known
phase and amplitude of the reflected energy at the antenna feed. The antenna
under test 840 is
replaced with a short circuit load 840b that may include an equivalent path-
length and/or an
48
CA 02681255 2009-09-30
equivalent antenna. Energy provided to the short circuit load 840a is
reflected at the short circuit
load 840a with a specific phase for the returned signal.
[00156] In test, the short circuit load 840a returns energy at a first phase
and the
open returns energy at a second phase. The short circuit load 840a places a
voltage minimum at
the short and full standing waves at every X/4 and 3X/4 wavelengths on the
transmission line
proximal the short circuit load 840a. The open circuit 850a places full
standing waves at the
open and every X/2 wavelengths on the transmission line proximal the open
circuit 850a.
[00157] Using known open or short parameters and the present open and short
parameters the phase angle and returned power of the antenna may be
determined. An active
tuning circuit may use one or more of these parameters to determine one or
more system tuning
parameters. For example, an active tuning circuit may be placed in the
generator, the handle of
the microwave energy delivery device or any other suitable location. Active
tuning circuit may
determine a range of mismatch and/or provide one or more calibration
parameters to the system
or may properly calibrate to the antenna feedpoint.
[00158] For example, the antenna and/or the tissue may be behaving inductively
(i.e., 5012 + 200j wherein the positive 20)j is inductive) or capacitively
(i.e., 50f2 - 20fIj
wherein the negative 20)j is inductive). Calibrating to the antenna feedpoint
the system can
identify if the antenna and/or tissue is behaving inductively or capacitively.
As such, the system
can incorporate a matching network to offset the impedance mismatch.
[00159] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure calibration is
performed by placing the antenna 940 of a microwave energy delivery device 915
in a
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CA 02681255 2009-09-30
calibration apparatus 900. Calibration apparatus 900 includes a chamber 910a
configured to
produce a known reflection and phase shift in an antenna 940a when the antenna
940a is placed
adjacent the chamber 910a. Calibration is performed by placing the antenna
940a in a fixed
position relative to the chamber 910a and driving the antenna 940a with a
predetermined signal.
The microwave generator 905a measures one or more parameters indicative of the
performance
of the antenna 940a and compares the measured parameters with one or more
predetermined
parameters. The microwave generator 905a then determines one or more
calibration parameters
or one or more tuning parameters for the antenna 940a under test.
[00160] Chamber 910a may be a cylindrical shaped chamber configured to receive
the antenna 940a. Chamber 910a may receive the distal end of the microwave
energy delivery
device 915a, including the antenna 940a, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, or chamber
940b may be
configured to receive the microwave energy delivery device 915b, as
illustrated in FIG. 9B. A
positioning mechanism or stop mechanism may provide consistent placement of
the antenna in
the chamber. Stopping mechanism may include a sensing mechanism to sense the
placement in
the chamber. Sensing mechanism may provide a signal to the system to indicate
that the antenna
is in position. System, after receiving the signal from the sensing mechanism,
may be configured
to switch to a test mode in which the system drives the antenna with a
predetermined microwave
signal.
[00161] Calibration device 940a may be configured as a stand-alone device as
illustrated in FIG. 9A, configured to interface with the microwave energy
delivery device (not
shown), configured to interface with the microwave generator, as illustrated
in FIG. 9B or any
combination thereof. Calibration device 900a may be a passive device that
provides a load on
_
CA 02681255 2009-09-30
the antenna 940a wherein the antenna response 940a to the load 900a (the
calibration device) is
known to the microwave generator 905a.
[00162] With reference to FIGS. 9A-9B, calibration device 900a, 900b may
include a chamber 910a, 910b configured to receive at least a portion of the
microwave energy
delivery device 915a, 915b. Chamber 910a, 910b may be configured to receive
the antenna
940a, 940b or the antenna and a portion of the device transmission line 930a,
930b. Chamber
910a, 910b is configured to position a microwave energy absorbing load
relative to the antenna
940a, 940b.
[001631 In use, a clinician mates together the calibration device 900a, 900b
and the
microwave energy delivery device 915a, 915b, respectively. The antenna 940a,
940b of the
microwave energy delivery device 915a, 915b is positioned relative to
calibration device 900a,
900b, respectively, and a calibration procedure is performed. The calibration
procedure may be
initiated manually, by the clinician, via a microwave generator input 906a,
906b or interface
screen 907a, 907b or by an input on the microwave energy delivery device (not
shown).
Alternatively, the calibration procedure may be automatically initiated by the
microwave
generator 905b. For example, placement of the antenna 940b relative to the
load in the
calibration device 900b may trigger a sensor 901b or input to the microwave
generator 905b (not
shown) and a calibration procedure may be automatically initiated.
[00164] In one embodiment, the calibration procedure includes the steps of
driving
the antenna with a microwave energy signal, measuring at least one parameter
related to the
antenna and generating at least one antenna calibration parameter. The
microwave energy signal
51
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CA 02681255 2009-09-30
may be a predetermined signal, a signal selected by the clinician or a signal
selected for the
specific antenna. The one or more parameters related to the antenna may
include one of forward
power, reflected power, impedance and temperature. The at least one antenna
calibration
parameter is related to the operation of the antenna, such as, for example, a
parameter related to
antenna tuning, a parameter related to the resonance of the antenna, a
parameter related to
antenna construction or any other suitable parameter related to microwave
energy delivery.
[00165] Calibration device may be configured to interface with one of the
microwave energy delivery device or the microwave generator. As illustrated in
FIG. 9B,
calibration device 900b may connect to the microwave generator 905b via a
cable 820b. In
another embodiment, the calibration device 900b may include a connector (not
shown) that
interfaces with the microwave energy delivery device 915b when mated together.
Connection
between the calibration device 900b and microwave generator 905b or microwave
energy
delivery device 915b may also be configured as a wireless connection.
Connection may include
one or more digital or analog connections or may include a suitable
communication means, such
as, for example, TCP/IP, OSI, FTP, UPnP, iSCSI, IEEE 802.15.1 (Bluetooth) or
Wireless USB.
Calibration device 900b may provide one or more parameters related to the
calibration device
900b and/or the calibration procedure to one of the microwave energy delivery
device 915b and
the microwave generator 905b.
[00166] Calibration device 900b may further include a positioner 902b to
position
the microwave energy delivery device 915b in one or more positions relative to
the calibration
device 900b. As illustrated in FIG. 9B, positioner 902b aligns with notch 916b
on the
microwave energy delivery device 915b such that the calibration device 900b
and microwave
52
CA 02681255 2016-02-18
energy delivery device 915b mate in position. Positioner 902b and notch 916b
are configured to
position the antenna 940b in a desirable position relative to chamber 910b.
Positioner may be
any suitable means of positioning the microwave energy delivery device 915b
relative to the
calibration device 900b such as, for example, a latch, a catch, a locking clam-
shell, a clip, a
locking or positioning pin, an unique shaped appendage and matching recessed
portion
configured to receive the appendage and any other suitable positioning device.
[00167] Calibration device 900b may further include a locking mechanism 903,
904, 909 for locking the calibration device 900b to the microwave energy
delivery device 915b.
As illustrated in FIG. 9B, catches 904 align with slots 909 when chamber 9106
is in a closed
position. Slide 903 actuates catches 904 within the slots thereby locking the
chamber in a closed
position. Any suitable locking mechanism may be used such as, for example, a
clip, a latch, a
pressed fit pin, a locking or self-closing hinge, a magnetic or electronic
closure mechanism or
any other suitable locking mechanism. Slide 903 or other locking release
mechanism may be
configured to be disabled when the antenna 940b is activated thereby
preventing the calibration
device 900b from releasing the microwave energy delivery device 915b during
calibration or
energy delivery.
[00168] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the
preferred
embodiments set forth herein, but should be given the broadest interpretation
consistent with the description as a whole.
53
